What are the Side Effects of Porn Addiction?

Home / Posts tagged "sex addiction" (Page 2)

What are the Side Effects of Porn Addiction?

08 April, 2020Articles, News

Porn addiction is considered by some medical professionals, to be one of the many manifestations of sex addiction. It is an all-consuming compulsion and obsession that many addicts hesitate to talk about due to the societal stigma attached to it. Porn addicts may struggle to reach out for help because of overwhelming shame and guilt around their behaviour. Indeed, secrecy is one of the hallmarks or side effects of porn addiction. It is a form of addiction that can ruin relationships, cause financial problems and result in feelings of extreme anxiety and depression.

Because there is no substance (such as drugs or alcohol to turn to as the tell-tale sign), porn addiction may be more difficult to identify in oneself or others. But one of the most characteristic side effects of porn addiction is the feeling of absolute powerlessness over the compulsion to watch porn or consume pornographic material. For many addicts who find themselves in the grip of this form of addiction, watching porn can cause significant disruptions. As a result, porn addicts may feel compelled to watch porn at inappropriate times, such as at work, during social gatherings or in times when family or friends should take priority.

Many porn addicts attest to the fact that, just as in the case of addiction to a drug or alcohol, one develops a certain level of “tolerance” to pornographic material over time. It is therefore not uncommon for porn addicts to feel the need to watch increasingly more porn or more explicit porn in order to satisfy what can be called a craving.

Another major side effect of porn addiction is the inability to stop watching porn despite experiencing negative consequences. Spending exorbitant amounts of money on pornographic material even when one cannot afford it, is often a symptom. Likewise, the secrecy that comes with hiding one’s addiction can cause strain in romantic relationships, but that too is often not enough of a deterrent.

If left untreated, the side effects of porn addiction, when compounded with the everyday challenges of life, can result in a destructive downward spiral into extreme isolation and depression. The most important thing to understand is that this behaviour can be arrested and with a program of recovery, addicts can be rehabilitated and shown a new way of life, free from the compulsion to watch porn.

If you or a loved one is in search of help for porn addiction, know that help is readily available. Contact us for a free consultation and we’ll support you in your journey.

No Obligation Addiction Assessment

Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.

Johannesburg Admissions: +27 74 895 1043

Pretoria Admissions: +27 82 653 3311

Stories of Recovery

The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
Oliver VG
Read more
On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
Johan B
Read more
I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
Carla S
Read more
"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
Angelique J
Read more

Approved Medical Aids

How Do Sex Rehab Facilities Help Addicts?

Reach out now, we can help

Home / Posts tagged "sex addiction" (Page 2)

How Do Sex Rehab Facilities Help Addicts?

16 March, 2020Articles, News

What is Sex Addiction?

According to some of the leading sex rehabilitatio n facilities, sex addiction is best described as an overwhelming and uncontrollable obsession and compulsion to act out sexually. Although sex addiction is not yet diagnosed as a psychological disorder, it is a condition that affects millions of people around the world. It is characterised by a persistent pattern of failure to control one’s sexual impulses and urges, resulting in repetitive sexual behaviour. In the recovery community, sex addiction is often referred to as a process addiction because it involves a compulsive behaviour rather than an addiction to a substance like drugs or alcohol.

Is There a Cure for Sex Addiction?

Sex addiction is one manifestation of the disease of addiction, and it is the opinion of many sex rehab facilities that addiction is a chronic condition that cannot be cured per se. The destructive behaviour can be arrested and recovery is then possible. Recovery therefore is a long-term, lifelong process that is made possible by taking consistent action to seek physical, emotional and spiritual healing. Ultimately, sex addicts can enjoy healthy intimate relationships, but it takes hard work, dedication and a great deal of faith to find a new way of life, free from the bondage of addiction.

Sex Rehab Facilities: The Recovery Process

Sex addiction, like substance abuse, is treated using a multi-pronged approach. This approach includes group therapy, individual counselling, life skills workshops, therapeutic activities and often, the introduction to a 12-step fellowship like Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA), of which there are a number of groups throughout South Africa and the rest of the world. It is not a process to be feared. Rather, it is a process that demonstrates that freedom from addiction is possible. Building a strong support network is essential to the recovery process – it is the beginning of building healthy relationships, both romantic and otherwise. Sex rehab facilities provide addicts with the tools and techniques that can help the addict to change their behaviour and learn new, positive coping skills to deal with life’s challenges without turning to sex as an escape or acting compulsively on one’s sexual urges. Like with any addiction, recovery is a process that addicts embark on one day at a time – every day is a new opportunity to change and grow.

If you or a loved one is in search of help for sex addiction, know that help is readily available. Contact us for a free consultation and we’ll support you in your journey.

Sources:

Medical News Today

No Obligation Addiction Assessment

Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.

Johannesburg Admissions: +27 74 895 1043

Pretoria Admissions: +27 82 653 3311

Stories of Recovery

The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
Oliver VG
Read more
On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
Johan B
Read more
I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
Carla S
Read more
"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
Angelique J
Read more

Approved Medical Aids

Definition of Sex Addiction

Sex and porn addiction can refer to a range of behaviours that are done in excess and significantly impact one’s life in a negative way.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V (DSM-5) does not list sex addiction as a diagnosable condition yet, but research indicates that there is a clear prevalence of adverse sexual behaviour that is similar in development to a “chemical” addiction.

Is Porn Addiction the Same as Sex Addiction?

Porn addiction and sex addiction are not the same disorder. Addiction to porn is considered to be a type of sex addiction and can manifest itself differently than other types of sex addiction. Like “sex addiction,” “porn addiction” is not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5 yet. However, an addiction to porn can lead to serious distress and consequences in many facets of life.

What Are the Different Types of Sexual Addictions?

There are no distinct categories, but sexual addictions can come in different forms, including addiction to:

Pornography.
Prostitution.
Masturbation or fantasy.
Sadistic or masochistic behavior.
Exhibition/Voyeurism.
Other excessive sexual pursuits.

What are the Signs, Symptoms, and Effects of a Sexual Addiction?

Several signs can serve to indicate whether someone is addicted to sex. These can be emotional or physical. Furthermore, it’s important to know the debilitating effects of sexual addiction.

Emotional Symptoms of Sex Addiction

If you or someone you love suffers from a sex addiction, you might not have healthy boundaries. If your husband is addicted to porn or sex, you may feel alienated, isolated, depressed, angry, or humiliated and need treatment yourself. If you are addicted to sex, you might become easily involved with people sexually or emotionally regardless of how well you know them, according to Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous. Because most sex addicts fear being abandoned, they might stay in relationships that aren’t healthy, or they may jump from relationship to relationship. When alone, they might feel empty or incomplete. They might also sexualize feelings like guilt, loneliness or fear.

Physical Symptoms of Sex Addiction

Although a sex addiction or pornography addiction can create many physical side effects, few physical symptoms of this disorder exist. However, the most common physical sex addict symptoms you might notice from having a sexual addiction is feeling immobilized due to sexual or emotional obsessions.

Effects of Sex Addiction

The effects of a sex addiction can be severe.

According to Departmental Management of the USDA, about 38% of men and 45% of women with sex addictions have a venereal disease as a result of their behaviour.

Pregnancy is also a common side effect that can occur due to risky behaviour. In one survey, nearly 70% of women with sex addictions reported they’d experienced at least one unwanted pregnancy as a result of their addiction.

Additionally, sex addiction likely has a negative impact on several areas of one’s life. It can lead to:

A decline in personal relationships, social, and family engagement.
Decreased concentration and productivity at work.
Physical consequences like sexual dysfunction or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

It can have profound psychological effects, like generating feelings of shame, inadequacy, and emotional distress. It can lead to, or stem from, comorbid psychological disorders like:

Anxiety.
Depression.
Substance abuse.
Problems related to impulse control and emotion dysregulation.
Obsessive-Compulsive type symptoms.

It is important to know that addressing co-occurring problems in one’s life, like depression, social anxiety, or social isolation, can make it easier to recover from sexual addiction.

Am I Addicted to Sex?

It is best to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation of your sex addiction; however, you may also want to look out for the following signs:

You feel powerless over how you act sexually.
Your sexual choices are making your life unmanageable.
You feel shame, embarrassment or even self-loathing over your sexual acts.
You promise yourself you’ll change, but fail to keep those promises.
You’re so preoccupied with sex it becomes like a ritual to you.

If you’re exhibiting any of these symptoms, it might be time to seek sex addiction treatment. If you also have a co-occurring substance addiction (e.g., alcohol, cocaine), call to learn more about treatment options.

RESOURCES

Reach out now, we can help

PsychGuides.com. 2019. Sex Addiction and Symptoms, Causes and Effects. https://www.psychguides.com/guides/sex-addiction-symptoms-causes-and-effects/

No Obligation Addiction Assessment

Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.

Johannesburg Admissions: +27 74 895 1043

Pretoria Admissions: +27 82 653 3311

Stories of Recovery

The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
Oliver VG
Read more
On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
Johan B
Read more
I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
Carla S
Read more
"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
Angelique J
Read more